ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN, LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACK DOWN ON GIFT CARD FRAUD SCHEME

Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced a series of felony theft and wire fraud charges filed against seven individuals who engaged in a stolen-credit card scheme and purchased more than $140,000 worth of goods and gift cards at a Crestwood Wal-Mart, where the individuals worked.

Those charged are Donesha Brumfield, 30, of Alsip, Sabrina D. Moore, 27, of Chicago, Kiyona P. Jackson, 21, of Chicago, Letitia Georgia, 27, of Harvey, Christopher J. McKnack, 32, of Chicago, Brittany C. Williams, 21, of Chicago, and Shomane C. Kuykendoll, 33, of Alsip. Each is charged with one count of theft and one count of wire fraud, which are Class 3 felonies and punishable by two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The individuals allegedly stole credit card numbers from financial institutions, including the Illinois State Police Federal Credit Union, Wachovia Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Wells Fargo, and encoded the data onto the magnetic strips of retailer gift cards and they then used these gift cards to purchase a range of consumer products.

Attorney General Madigan's Financial Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case following a joint investigation by the Illinois State Police, Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Financial Crime's Assistant Bureau Chief Ed Carter and Assistant Attorney General Neal Goodfriend are handling the case for Madigan's Financial Crimes Bureau.

The public is reminded that these are merely charges and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.